How to Use an Immersion Heater

Written by regina edwards

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Immersion heaters are convenient small appliances that can boil water on the go for tea, coffee and instant soup. Immersion heaters can also be larger for specific uses such as in an aquarium or water tank. Travel immersion heaters are compact tools that are versatile for travelling and use in an RV. Basic immersion heaters can hang on the side of a mug or pot to boil water; other immersion heaters have thermostats to control the temperature or to shut off when a target temperature is reached. Immersion heaters generate heat through electrical coils or oil-filled tubes, so care should be taken to appropriately cool the appliance to prevent cracks in the heating element.

Skill level:

Easy

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Things you need

Tall ceramic mug or metal pot

Ceramic or metal cup, bowl or pot

Water

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Instructions

1

Place the immersion heater in your container by hanging it over the lip (side) on the inside of the mug or pot.

2

Fill the container to the designated level on your immersion heater (do not submerge the heater and make sure the coils are not exposed to air). Fill the second container with water and set aside (this is your holding container).

3

Plug your immersion heater into the power outlet. Monitor the contents of the container for boiling over the sides and for overheating (i.e., boiling dry). When the liquid is hot, unplug the immersion heater from the outlet and wait a few minutes before transferring the immersion heater to the holding container to cool off.